The meeting comes as questions continue over the Supreme Leader’s health and Iran faces mounting military and economic pressures.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss the country’s military and economic situation, days after reports in Israeli media claimed that Khamenei was in “extremely critical condition”.
The meeting comes amid heightened tensions over the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, with discussions reportedly covering military developments, economic pressures and measures to address the needs of the Iranian people.
Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV reported the meeting on Sunday.
What did Pezeshkian and Khamenei discuss?
According to Press TV, the two leaders discussed the needs and livelihood of the Iranian people, the current state of the war and its future trajectory, as well as developments on the military front.
They also discussed ways to secure resources and manage spending related to the Iranian rial, foreign currency and energy.
The leaders further explored strengthening Iran’s economic ties and engagement with foreign partners, the report said.
The meeting was also reported by an Farsi-language X account attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei.
Meeting follows reports about Khamenei’s health
The talks come amid speculation over Mojtaba Khamenei’s health.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency on Sunday released an undated video showing the Supreme Leader appearing to be in good health. The footage came shortly after Israeli media reports claimed he was in critical condition and had been taken to a hospital.
On Friday, Israeli media reported that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”.
Channel 14, citing sources inside Iran, and The Jerusalem Post, citing IranWire and sources close to Pezeshkian’s administration, reported that concerns over Khamenei’s health had emerged among Iran’s leadership.
The latest meeting and video appear to be aimed at countering those reports, although there has been no independent confirmation of Khamenei’s health.
Pezeshkian enters third year as president
The meeting came as Pezeshkian began his third year in office.
He was elected president on July 5, 2024, and formally appointed by then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 28 before taking the oath of office on July 30.
Pezeshkian’s election followed the death of then-President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash earlier in 2024.
Mojtaba Khamenei has stayed out of public view
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28.
Since taking over the position, Mojtaba Khamenei has largely remained out of public view and has communicated through written statements rather than public appearances.
His continued absence has fuelled speculation about his health, particularly amid the latest reports from Israeli media.
The meeting with Pezeshkian therefore comes at a sensitive moment for Iran, as the country faces military pressure, economic challenges and continued uncertainty over the course of the war.
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